Flushing system and method and means involved in its operation



W. 8. WHITE FLUSHING SYSTEM AND METHOD AND MEANS INVOLVED IN ITS OPERATION Filed July 23, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY.

Wee. 10, 1935.. w. 5. WHITE FLUSHING SYSTEM AND METHOD AND MEANS INVOLVED IN ITS OPERATION Filed July 23, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 wwwflfifi BY 3 Q M ATTORNEY.

Dec. 10, 1935. w 5 WHITE 2,023,798

FLUSHING SYSTEM AND METHOD AND MEANS INVOLVED IN ITS OPERATION Filed July 23, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 10, 1935 PATENT OFFICE FLUSHENG SYSTEM AND METHOD AND MEANS INVOLVED IN ITS OPERATION William S White, Denver, 0010. Application July 23, 1934, Serial No. 736,591

27 Claims.

My invention relates to a flushing system for toilets, urinals, slop sinks, and other like fix tures, its primary object being to provide in a system of this character, a valve structure controlling its operation with a comparatively small amount of water thru the medium of an automatically stored supply of air-pressure.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a positive means for the intake of air dur- 1() ing each flushing operation, for its storage in the system, the said means being capable of closing the air-intake whenever reverse pressures develop in the system to thereby prevent any leakage of water about the building in which the system is installed.

Anotherobjectof the invention is the provision of positive means for preventing a reverse flow from the fixture thru the system to the water supply, to assure against any pollution of the water supply by use of the system.

A further object is the provision of a novel valve construction for-controlling an air-intake to eliminate the possibility of inoperativeness of the valve resulting from extensive use or from long periods of non-use, as frequently occurs in conventional constructions.

'Still anotherobject of the invention is the provision of a specially designed toilet bowl for housing a valve in controlling connection with the system, and the maintenance of the valve in leak-proof connection with the water inlet in the bowl.

A further object is the provision of novel valveactuating mechanism having particular applicatlon toa valve employed with the aforementioned valve housing fixture.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of means for positively preventing the pressure supply tank employed in the system from becoming water-logged and failing to function.

Other objects of the invention reside in the provision of means to prevent water-logging of the flushing system, to insure a substantially noiseless flush at the fixture, to avoid the waste of water through leaks, and in novel combinations and arrangements or parts as will more fully appear in the course of the following description.

My invention constitutes a continuation-inpart of my application Serial No. 655,162, filed February 4, 1933, in which a system of the character employed in the present invention is described. The earlier application did not disclose the specific arrangement of the flush valve included in the system. While the system is :operable with any of the conventional type flush valves, it has been found advantageous to use the valves herein described, to facilitate installations in dwellings, particularly small homes, and 5 in supplying a sufficient amount of air for positive operation under all conditions, to systems installed in homes where the water supply is conducted to the system thru small pipes under relatively small pressure. 10

r t is'obvious that the arrangement of the elements essential to attain the objects of my invention must be variable in order that thesystem will meet all requirements of use, particularly with relation to the location of the toilet, the 15 construction of the building in which the system is installed, and the condition and location-0f the source of water supply; and in order to convey an understanding of modifications which may be'used for different conditions,several-examples 20 have been illustrated.

Referring now to the drawings in the several views of which like parts have been similarly designated,

Figure 1 represents a section taken along the 25 line l-l, Figure 3,

Figure 2 is a side elevation :of a toilet :fixture provided with an integral housing for the valve illustrated in Figure 3,

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the housing e0 shown in Figure 2, and a modification of the valve shown in Figure 6 intended for use in the housing,

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4, Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line 5--5, Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of the valve structure controlling the operation of the flushing system, in its preferred form, 40

Figure 7 represents a side elevation of the valve shown in Figure 6 connected with a toilet bowl and mounted interiorly of the wall of the room in which the bowl is placed,

Figure 8 represents the same valveconnected with a toilet bowl and mounted on awall within the room in which the bowl is placed, and having the pressure supply tank connected with the cold water supply of a washbowlin the room, 50

Figure 9 is a section taken along the line 9- 9, Figure 6,

Figure 10 is a section Iii-l0, Figure '6,

Figure 11 is an elevation, partially in section, 55

taken along the line of the toilet bowl and valve shown in Figure 2, and

Figure 12 is a modification of the air-intake valve shown in Figure 6.

In Figures 7 and 8 a toilet bowl is fastened on a floor i2 adjacent a wall E3 of a room. A flush valve I4 is mounted on the wall [3 and connected with the bowl E5 by means of a pipe it, the outlet from the valve being preferably at a higher elevation than the top of the bowl, as illustrated in Figure 7 A conduit i! from a source of water supply (not shown) leads into the flush valve i4 and a conduit i8 establishes communication between the valve id and a source of fluid-pressure in the form of a supply tank is. This tank is shown in both views as being fastened beneath the floor i2, but it is to be understood that the tank may be located wherever convenient, and it may be in an elevated position relative to the valve if desired.

The operation of the system, in brief, requires that air be drawn into the system during each flushing action, a portion thereof being trapped in a compressed condition in the tank, so as to be available for use in expediting and accelerating the flow of water during the next following operation.

The flush valve [4 in its preferred form for use in the system is illustrated in Figure 6. A casing 26 is provided with an inlet 2| for connection with the conduit iii. A second inlet 22 is provided for connection with the conduit I8 leading to the pressure supply tank 89. The inlet 22 communicates directly with an extension of the casing 25 providing a reservoir 23. The casing is provided with an outlet 24 for connection with the toilet bowl or other fixture. The casing 29 also has a threaded cavity at 25, in which a cap 26 is screwed, the cap being apertured at 2! for the admission of atmospheric air.

The outer end of inlet 2i is covered by a screen 28 to prevent dirt and the like entering the valve and becoming lodged in the operating parts thereof. Inside the screen, a ball valve 29 controls the inlet 2|, to close the same against any reverse flow therethru. A rib 30 holds the ball from closing the inlet passage when it is subjected to the pressure of a flow of water entering the inlet 2i from the source of water supply. The inlet 2| terminates in a distributing chamber 3!, and a jet 32 is provided at an end of the chamber 3!. Water forced thru the jet 32 travels thru a conduit 33 into the reservoir 23.

Restricted ports 34 leading from the distributing chamber 3i empty into a passage 35 controlled by a ball valve 35, and a notch in seat 3'! provides a bleed opening for a restricted fiow of water past the valve 36. The passage 35 at each end terminates in a chamber 38, the chamber adjacent ball valve 36 being closed by a hollow cap 3t, while a plug as is fitted in the opposite end of passage 35, and the chamber 38 at that end is enclosed by a solid cap ii. A port 32 communicates between passage 35 and a control chamber 43 in the casing 26. A passage 44 permits water from reservoir 23 to enter control chamber 43.

The casing 20 is provided with a valve seat 15 adjacent the outlet 24, which defines an end of the control chamber 43. A piston element 46 reciprocates in control chamber 43 and is normally held to the valve seat 45 by pressure of the water entering the control chamber thru port 32. A stop t! limits movement of the piston away from seat 45.

her it into conduit The piston element comprises a hollow, cylindrical body 58 apertured at 49 to permit the passage of water into its interior. At its end adjacent the outlet, the body is enlarged and recessed at 55 to receive a resilient washer 5|, 5 which engages the seat A5 when the valve is in its normal position. A passage 52 is provided in the enlarged end of piston 45, and a tilt valveiifi controls the flow of water thru piston 46. A resilient washer 5 carried in the body 28 provides a yielding seat for the tilt valve 53.

A coil spring 55 in the hollow interior of the body 38 bears upon the tilt valve 53 and maintains it in its normally seated position.

A neck 55 screwed into the passage 52 acts as a conduit for water flowing from the piston 66 into outlet 2G, and also holds the washer 5| in recess 50.

The tilt valve 53 is provided with a stem 51 extending thru the neck 5 into outlet 24. The piston 46 carries an annular plate 58 and cup washers 59 and 60 to form a shoulder in fluidtight engagement with the walls of control chamber 53, and movement of the piston is effected by the pressure of water in the control chamber 33, directed against the shoulder.

An apertured extension 6| screws into the easing 29 and is recessed at 62. A pushrod 63 is slidably fitted in an aperture 6 1 in the extension and terminates in the outlet 24 adjacent the stem 51. The recess 62 provides a housing, and a stufiing box 65 prevents leakage of water along the pushrod 63. A handle 65 is fulcrumed at an end of the extension 5! to actuate the pushrod, which has a head 61 on its end adjacent the handle. A coil spring 68 in the housing engages the head 6i and at its opposite end bears against a wall of the housing, and returns the pushrod to its normal position after release of manual pressure on handle 66.

It will be observed that the casing 29 is apertured and threaded on opposite sides of outlet 25. A plug 69 is fitted into the recess on the opposite side of the stem from the extension El and held in place by screw cap iii. In installing the valve in a bathroom, it is sometimes necessary to reverse these parts in order to properly position the handle 56, the extension being placed in the opening where the screw cap it and the. plug 59 are shown in Figure 9, the plug 59 and cap it? being fitted in the threaded opening on the opposite side of stem 5? when these parts are reversed.

A similarreversal of parts is provided for in the structure illustrated in Figure 10. The ball valve 36 may be located in its notched seat 5? at the opposite end of passage 35 from where it is shown, and the plug 49 fitted where the ball valve 36 is shown. Hollow cap 35 and solid cap 4! are also reversed in this arrangement.

The cavity 25 in the casing 25 is closed by cap 26. A partition H divides the interior of the cavity into chambers 72 and F3. The partition is formed with a flat resilient surface '54 facing chamber 73, and apertured at 75. A stem 75, extending thru an aperture ll into reservoir 23, is slidably fitted in aperture '55 and carries a plate 78 which normally is held in engagement with the resilient surface M by the pressure of fluid in reservoir 23. A port 79 leads from cham- 33, and the flow of liquid thru the conduit develops suction in port 79 and chamber 73 to move the plate away from the resilient surface with the result that air is drawn 75 thru the chambers I2 and I3 and into reservoir 23 during each flushing action.

In the operation of the valve 14, water entering inlet I! from the source of supply, flows past ball valve 29 and into distributing chamber 3|. A portion of the flow passes into port 34, thru passage 35, past ball valve 36 into port 42 where it flows into control chamber 43. At the same time water flows out of distributing chamber 3| into jet 32 and thru conduit 33 into reservoir 23. The volume of water entering control chamber 43 is proportioned relative to the volume of water entering reservoir 23 to effect a movement of the piston element 46 onto seat 45 and to thereafter hold same against pressures developed in reservoir 23, which act upon cup Washer 63.

During the filling of reservoir 23, air is drawn thru intake '21 and into the reservoir by the suction influence already described, This air is trapped in reservoir23, and increased pressure of water in the reservoir causes the air to escape thru inlet 22 and into tank I9, where it rises above the liquid body and is compressed as the pressure is increased. When the pressure of the compressed air equals the pressure of the water supply on the inlet 2|, the inflow ceases and the system remains at rest.

Manual actuation of the handle 36 unseats tilt valve 53 and water from control chamber 43 flows thru apertures 43 past tilt valve 53 and thru neck 56 into the outlet 24. The escape of water from control chamber 13 thru the piston element 4t permits the pressure of the water directed against cup washer 63 to move the piston against stop 4 ii, and the pressure of the compressed air in tank I3 forces the water therein, and in reservoir 23 thru the outlet 24 to flush the fixture with which it is connected. The reservoir 23 is im-- mediately relieved of pressure, after the control chamber is opened, while the remainder of the system is still subject to pressures in tank I9, thereby entrapping air drawn in thru intake 23 and conduit 33.

The filling of control chamber 43 resumes as soon as the pressure in the system is less than the pressure at the inlet 2 I, and when a suflicient volume flows into control chamber 43, the piston element 33 is reseated, and air is again drawn into reservoir 23 and thence to tank H), to supply the normal pressure required for flushing.

If for any cause a reverse flow develops in the system, the plate "I3 is pressed against the resilient surface I4 and prevents any escape of water thru the air intake 21. Ball valve 36 closes passage to prevent a reverse flow from control chamber 43, and ball valve 29 closes inlet 2i. It is thus apparent that polluted water will be kept from flowing into the source of supply.

The modified valve construction, best shown in Figure 3, is substantially the same in general ariangement as the valve shown in Figure 6, but differs somewhat in form. Water entering inlet 2! flows thru jet 32 and conduit 33 into reservoir 23. A restricted flow passes out of inlet 2! into port 3i, thru a passage 82 past ball valve '23 and into control chamber 43, in which the piston element, identical in all respects to the piston element shown in Figure 6, is normally held on seat 45. The neck 556 communicates with a chamber 83 thru outlet 24, the chamber being drained by a conduit 34 during each flushing action.

The air intake 2? shown in Figure 3 is similar to the airintake shown in Figure 6, except that the'chamber 'I3does not communicate directly with the reservoir 23, and the stem is not extended beyond the plate I8. The chamber I3 communicates with conduit 33 thru port I9 and apertures 80 and 85. These apertures are placed forwardly of the port is with respect to the flow 5 of water from inlet 2| thru conduit 33, in order to increase the suction exerted upon chamber 33. A spring 86 supported on stem I6, bearing upon partition II and held at its opposite end by a head 81 on stem I3, normally holds plate IS in i0 engagement with the resilient surface It. Suction induced by the flow of water thru conduit 33 during the flushing action draws plate I8 to an open position against the resistance of spring 36 and effects an inflow of air into the system. 15 As resistance to the inflow of water thru inlet 2i is developed by compression of air in tank I9, the suction influence diminishes until it no longer holds the plate '58 against the resistance of spring 86, and the admission of air is checked while 20 water still flows into the system.

While the valve structure shown in Figure 3 is capable of a variety of uses, it is particularly adapted for use in the toilet fixture illustrated in Figures 2 and 11. The toilet bowl i5 is pro- 25 vided with a housing 33 which is preferably formed as an integral part of the bowl. The bowl is apertured at 89 to receive flushing water directly from chamber 83, and is apertured at 9D to receive flushing water flowing thru conduit 84. 30

The housing has openings 3! and 92 at each of its ends and has an annular flange 93 on its interior surface near the opening 9i. Between the flange 93 and opening BI, a depression 33 is formed in the bottom of the interior surface of 35 the housing, and a drain 35 leads from the depression into the bowl !3.

The valve casing 23 in Figure 3 is shouldered at 96, and when the casing is inserted into the housing 38, the shoulder engages flange 93 and divides the housing into two separate chambers 83 and I it. If desired, a resilient gasket 31 may be supported on shoulder 93 for engagement with the flange.

A cover 98 is fastened over the opening 3|. A flanged cap 99 is fitted over opening 92 and held in place by screws I33 engaging threaded apertures iii! in casing 23. The cap 93 has a passage extending thru its flanged portion I32. A cover N33 is fitted over cap 33 and is screwed upon threads I06 on the exterior of the flanged portion I 32, or is otherwise fitted over same. A plate IE4 is held against the edges of the flanged portion by a collar I35 screwed on threads Hi6. Handle 33 is fulcrumed at an end of the collar and actuates a pushrod 63. A spring 38 on the pushrod engages plate I63 and at its opposite end bears against a head 31 on pushrod 63 adjacent handle 38. A stuffing box prevents leakage of water along pushrod 83. to

The casing 23 is provided with an arm it? on which a trip I38 is pivotally suspended. The trip I33 is preferably an L-shaped bar with its lower portion I39 extending under the stem 51. The pushrod 53 has an end adjacent the trip 65 E33, and when handle 33 is manually actuated, the pushrod swings trip 33 on its pivot H3 and thereby raises stem 51. As the piston moves away from its seat 45 in control chamber 1 3, stem 51 slides along the trip for a substantial (11858116670 until it is again reseated by spring 55 after release of manual pressure on handle 66. The lower portion IE9 is of greater length than the distance piston 46 travels in control chamber 43, and continuously maintains stem 'fil in a raised 15 position so long as pushrod 63 bears against the trip I 08.

In Figures 7 and 3 the tank H3 is shown with a drainpipe i l 2 in its bottom. When the system is installed in the manner illustrated in Figure '7, the drainpipe is plugged. If it is desired to prevent water-logging of the system, the drainpipe is connected by a pipe M3 to the cold Water fixture EM of a washbowl H5, or any other fixture which may be available. 7

Every time the cold water valve on washbowl H5 is opened, water is drawn from inlet ll thru valve i i and conduit l8 into tank i9. Water in tank is is forced thru drainpipe H2 and pipe H3 to the fixture H4. It is apparent that air will be drawn into the system thru intake 21 during this operation.

If the system has been standing idle for a considerable time and the air in tank it has been absorbed by the water in the tank so that the tank is full of water, opening of the fixture H4 will cause water to be forced out of'tank l9 by the pressure in conduit il and the air drawn into the system during this action is trapped in tank 59. Thereafter the flush valve I i will operate in a normal manner, since sufiicient air is entrapped in the system for its operation.

A novel feature of the invention resides in the method of closing the air-intake while the plate 78 is still being subjected to the suction influence induced by the flow of water thru jet 32. It is apparent that the intake must be closed. before pressure in the system equals the pressure at the inlet, or water will escape from the system thru apertured cap 26.

The air entrapped in reservoir 23 during the flushing action exerts a pressure on the water entering the reservoir when the flushing action stops, with the result that the body of water presses against the end of stem l6 extending into reservoir Pressure in the reservoir increases as the suction influence dinnmshes, and when the pressure on the stem 76 overcomes the suction influence in chamber l3, the plate is moved into engagement with resilient surface '54, thereby terminating the admission or" air and preventing the escape of water thru the air intake.

Should the normal pressure be lacking in chamber 23 because of exhaustion of air pressure in tank it, the valve 78 will open and a fiow of air equal to the capacity of jet 32 will feed jet 52 instead of a reverse flow pulling the contents of bowl 5 5 thru the system. As this check is independent of ball valve 29, a reverse flow is prevented, even if ball valve is is removed or inoperative.

From the foregoing it will be observed that closing of the air intake is not dependent upon the retention of air in the tank it during the flushing action, the supply of air drawn thru the intake as the flushing progresses being sufficient to furnish the closing force required, independently of air previously entra -d in the system.

In the modification of the valve controlling the air-intake, illustrated in Figure the arrangement of parts siiniiar to that shown in Figure 6.

The partition ii is formed with a central offset portion ad acent the aperture 75, providing a flat seat for the plate 78. The resilient surface 74 conforms with the shape of the partition. The seat-engaging surface of the plate 58 extends beyond the oifset portion so that wear on' the engaging surfaces will be evenly distributed and no depressions will be formed therein, which would develop leaks. Likewise, the provision of an overhanging plate insures positive operation under the suction influence, as the plate does not stick to the seat, as frequently occurs when the suction influence is exerted upon only one fiat surface of the plate.

It is to be understood that when the flushing action begins, the pressure in control chamber 43 decreases as the water escapes and the piston 46 moves away from the seat. If the water supply is out oif for any reason, water in reservoir 23 is forced backward thru conduit 33 and jet 32 and fills control chamber 43 to again move piston #6 onto seat 45. In this way only a limited flushing period is permitted, independently of the flow of water thru inlet 2!.

Many other variations in the construction and arrangements of the elements comprised in the invention may be made within the scope and spirit of the same, as defined in the hereunto appended claims, those hereinbefore described having proved most practical and eflicient under varying conditions of use.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A system for flushing a toilet or the like, comprising in combination with a source of water supply, a flush valve communicating with the source and including a reservoir adapted to hold a body of water under pressure when the valve is closed, an air-intake communicating with the reservoir, and a jet connected with the source of water supply and positioned relative to the airintake to draw air into the reservoir by suction, a pressure chamber communicating with the reservoir to receive water therefrom, and having a space for the compression of air, and a valve controlled drain pipe connected with the bottom of the pressure chamber.

2. A system for flushing a. toilet or the like, comprising in combination with a source of water supply, a flush valve communicating with the source'and including a reservoir adapted to hold a body of water under pressure when the valve is closed, an air-intake communicating with the reservoir, and a jet connected with the source of water supply and positioned relative to the air-intake to draw air into the reservoir by suction, and a pressure chamber separate from the valve and communicating with the reservoir to receive water therefrom and having a space for the compression of air.

3. A system for flushing a toilet or the like, comprising in combination with a source of water supply, a flush valve communicating with the source and including a reservoir adapted to hold a body of water under pressure when the valve is closed, an air-intake communicating with the reservoir, a jet connected with the source of water supply and positioned relative to the air-intake to draw air into the reservoir by suction, and manually operable means for opening the valve, and a pressure chamber separate from the valve and communicating with the reservoir to receive water therefrom and having a space for the compression of air.

4. A system for flushing a toilet or the like, comprising in combination with a source of water supply, a flush valve communicating with the source and including a reservoir adapted to hold a body of water under pressure when the valve is closed and having an air-intake communicating with the reservoir, a jet connected with the source of water supply and positioned relative to the air-intake to draw air into the reservoir by suction, and means to prevent a reverse flow thru the valve, and a pressure chamber separate from the valve and communicating with the reservoir to receive water therefrom.

and having a space for the compression of air.

5. A system for flushing a toilet or the like, comprising in combination with a source of water supply, a flush valve communicating with the source and including a reservoir adapted to hold a body of water under pressure when the valve is closed, an air-intake communicating with the reservoir, and a jet connected with the source of water supply and positioned relative to the air-intake to draw air into the reservoir by suction, a pressure chamber communicating with the reservoir to receive water therefrom and having a space for the compression of air, and a toilet bowl connected with the valve to be flushed thereby, the outlet from the valve being at a higher elevation than the top of the bowl.

6. In a flush valve of the character described, an air-intake comprising a housing having an opening exposed to the atmosphere, a partition in the housing defining two chambers therein, a source of fluid pressure in communication with one of said chambers, the partition having a resilient surface in the latter chamber, and being apertured to permit communication between the chambers, and a slidable valve controlling the aperture by engagement with the resilient surface and movable to an open position by pressure variations in the latter chamber.

'7. A flush valve of the character described, comprising a casing having an inlet for connection with a source of water supply, having an inlet for connection with a source of pressure fluid, having an outlet connecting with a fixture to be flushed, and having a valve seat adjacent the outlet, defining a control chamber within the casing, a shouldered piston movably fitted in the control chamber and normally engaging the seat, there being a passage for a flow of water from the water inlet to the control chamber, the casing providing a reservoir, the pressure fluid inlet communicating with the reservoir, means for establishing communication between the water inlet and the reservoir, including a conduit and a jet in the conduit, means for the admission of atmospheric air to the conduit, under the influence of suction induced by the flow of water thru the jet, the piston being movable in the control chamber by the pressure of water directed against its shoulder, and manually operable means for varying the pressure in the control chamber to thereby eiiect an opening movement of the valve thru movement of the piston away from the seat.

8. A flush valve of the character described, comprising a casing having an inlet for connection with a source of water supply, having an inlet for connection with a source of pressure fluid, having an outlet connecting with a fixture to be flushed, and having a valve seat adjacent the outlet, defining a control chamber within the casing, a shouldered piston movably fitted in the control chamber and normally engaging the seat, there being a passage for the restricted flow of water from the water inlet to the, control chamber, the casing providing a reservoir, the pressure fluid inlet communicating with the reservoir, means for establishing communication between the water inlet and the reservoir, including a conduit and a jet in the conduit, means for the admission of atmospheric air to the conduit, under the influence of suction induced by the flow of water thru the jet, the piston being movable in the control chamber by the pressure of water directed against its shoulder, and manually operable means for varying the pressure in the control chamber to thereby efiect an opening movement of the valve thru movement of the piston away from the seat.

9. A flush valve of the character described, comprising a casing having an inlet for connection with a source of water supply, having an inlet for connection with a source of pressure fluid, having an outlet connecting with a fixture to be flushed, and having a valve seat adjacent the outlet, defining a control chamber within the casing, a shouldered piston movably fitted in the control chamber and normally engaging the seat, there being a passage for a flow of water from the water inlet to the control chamber, the casing providing a reservoir, the pressure fluid inlet communicating directly with the reservoir, means for establishing communication between the water inlet and the reservoir, including a conduit and a jet in the conduit, means for the admission of atmospheric air to the conduit, under the influence of suction induced by the flow of water thru the jet, the piston being movable in the control chamber by the pressure of water directed against its shoulder, and manually operable means for varying the pressure in the control chamber to thereby efiect an opening movement of the valve thru movement of the piston away from the seat.

10. A flush valve of the character described, comprising a casing having an inlet for connection with a source of water supply, having an inlet for connection with a source of pressure fluid, having an outlet connecting with a fixture to be flushed, and having a valve seat adjacent the outlet, defining a control chamber within the casing, a shouldered piston movably fitted in the control chamber and normally engaging the seat, there being a passage for a flow of water from the water inlet to the control chamber, the casing providing a reservoir, the pressure fluid inlet communicating with the reservoir, means for establishing communication between the water inlet and the reservoir, including a conduit having one of its ends extending into the reservoir,

and a jet in the conduit, means for the admission of atmospheric air to the conduit, under the influence of suction induced by the flow of water thru the jet, the piston being movable in the control chamber by the pressure of water directed against its shoulder, and manually operable means for varying the pressure in the control chamber to thereby effect an opening movement of the valve thru movement of the piston away from the seat.

11. A flush valve of the character described, comprising a casing having an inlet for connection with a source of Water supply, having an inlet for connection with a source of pressure fluid, having an outlet connecting with a fixture to be flushed, and having a valve seat adjacent the outlet, defining a control chamber within the casing, a shouldered piston movably fitted in the control chamber and normally engaging the seat, there being a passage-for a flow of water from the water inlet to the control chamber, the casing providing a reservoir, the pressure fluid inletcommunicating with the reservoir, means for establishing communication between the water inlet and the reservoir, including a conduit and a jet in the conduit, means for the admission of atmospheric air to the conduit, under the influence of suction induced by the flow of water thru the jet, the piston being movable in the control chamber by the pressure of water directed against its shoulder, manually operable means for varying the pressure in the control chamber to thereby effect an opening movement of the valve thru movement of the piston away from the seat, and means in the valve to prevent a reverse flow from the outlet to the inlet.

12. A flush valve of the character described, comprising a casing having an inlet for connection with a source of water supply, having an inlet for connection with a source of pressure fluid, having an outlet connecting with a fixture to be flushed, and having a valve seat adjacent the outlet, defining a control chamber within the casing, a shouldered piston movably fitted in the control chamber and normally engaging the seat, there being a passage for a flow of water from the water inlet to the control chamber, the casing providing a reservoir, the pressure fluid inlet communicating with the reservoir, means for establishing communication between the water inlet and the reservoir, including a conduit and a jet in the conduit, means for the admission of atmospheric air to the conduit, under the influence of suction induced by the flow of water thru the jet, the piston being movable in the control chamber by the pressure of water directed against its shoulder, the control chamber being in communication with the reservoir, and manually operable means for varying the pressure in the control chamber to thereby effect an opening movement of the valve thru movement of the piston away from the seat.

13. The combination with a toilet bowl, and a valve-housing forming an extension of the bowl, and having a circumferential flange on its interior surface, of a valve including a shouldered casing insertable in the housing, and pressure means holding the shoulder in fluid-tight engagement with the flange.

14. The combination with a toilet bowl, and a valve-housing formed integrally with the bowl and provided with a circumferential flange on its interior surface, of a valve including a shouldered casing insertable in the housing, and pressure means holding the shoulder in fluid-tight engagement with the flange.

15. The combination with a toilet bowl, and a valve-housing forming an extension of the bowl, and having a circumferential flange on its interior surface, of a valve including a shouldered casing insertable in the housing, a resilient washer on the shoulder, and pressure means holding the washer in fluid-tight engagement with the flange.

16. The combination with a toilet bowl, and a valve-housing forming an extension of the bowl, and having a circumferential flange on its interior surface, of a valve including a shouldered casing insertable in the housing, pressure means holding the shoulder in fluid-tight engagement with the flange, and a drain extending from the interior of the housing into the bowl.

1'7. The combination with a toilet bowl, and a valve-housing forming an extension of the bowl, and having a circumferential flange on its interior surface, of a valve including a shouldered casing insertable in the housing, pressure means holding the shoulder in fluid-tight engagement with the flange and dividing the interior of the housing into a plurality of separated chambers, and a drain for each of the chambers extending from the interior of the housing into the bowl.

18. In a flush valve, a casing having an inlet for connection with a source of water supply, having an outlet connecting with a fixture to be flushed, and having a valve seat adjacent the outlet, a reciprocating piston normally held against the seat by pressure of water in the 5 casing, a tilt valve cooperating with the piston for its movement away from the seat, a stem on the tilt valve, a pivoted trip located adjacent and extending parallel to the stem, and manually operable means for movement of the trip about 10 its pivot to thereby move the stem and effect an opening movement of the tilt valve.

19. In a flushing system of the character de scribed, a chamber, an air-intake valve structure comprising an apertured partition in the chamber, offset to provide a valve seat of lesser diameter than the chamber, a stem slidably fitted in the aperture of the partition, and a disk-like valve carried on the stem, the valve normally engaging the seat under pressure and extending beyond the same.

20. In a flushing system of the character described, a chamber, an air-intake valve structure comprising an apertured partition in the chamoer, offset to provide a valve seat of lesser diam- 5 eter than the chamber, a stem slidably fitted in the aperture of the partition, and a disk-like valve carried on the stem, the partition having a resilient valve-engaging surface, the valve normally engaging the seat under pressure and ex- 30 tending beyond the same.

21. A system for flushing a toilet or the like, comprising in combination with a source of water supply, a flush valve communicating with the source, a chamber communicating with the flush 35 valve and having a space for the compression of air, an air-intake communicating with the chamher, a jet positioned relative to the air-intake to draw air into the system, and a faucet for withdrawing water from the chamber, independent of 40 the flush-valve.

22. A system for flushing a toilet or the like, comprising in combination with a source of water supply, a flush valve communicating with the source, a chamber communicating with the flush 45 valve and having a space for the compression of air, an air-intake communicating with the chamher, a jet positioned relative to the air-intake draw air into the system, and a valve-conrolled outlet for withdrawing water from the 50 chamber independent of the flush-valve.

23. The method of flushing a toilet or the like, controlled by a flush valve, comprising supplying water from a source of supply to a conductive system controlled by the valve, by means of a 55 jet, drawing air into the system by suction created by the jet, causing compression of a body of said air by water pressure upon closure of the valve, directing the force of the compressed air against o. body of water in the system to produce a flush- T action when the valve is opened, entrapping air drawn into the system by the suction influence during the flushing action, and closing the valve against further admission of air by pressure of entrapped air while suction is being induced the jet.

24. In a flush valve of the character described, air-intake comprising a housing having an opening exposed to the atmosphere, a partition n the housing defining chambers therein, a source of fluid pressure in communication with of said chambers, the partition having a esilient surface in the latter chamber, and being apertured to permit communication between the chambers, a slidable valve controlling the aperture by engagement with the resilient surface and movable to an open position by pressure variations in the latter chamber, and a stem on the valve extending thru the housing and movable by pressure variations exteriorly of the housing to close the valve.

25. The method of flushing a toilet or the like controlled by a flush valve, comprising supplying water from a source of supply to a conductive system controlled by a valve, drawing air into the system, causing compression of a body of said air by water pressure upon closure of the valve, maintaining a confined body of water separate from the compressed body of air and subject to the pressure of said body of compressed air when the valve is closed, directing the pressure of the body of compressed air against the confined body of, water immediately upon opening of the valve to produce an initial flushing action and thereby create a zone free from the pressure influence of the compressed air body, during continuation of the flushing action under the influence of the compressed air body, and entrapping air drawn into the system in the pressure free zone, after release of the confined body of water.

26. In a flush valve having an outlet, a control chamber communicating with the outlet, there being a valve seat in the control chamber adjacent the outlet, a shouldered piston normally held on the seat and controlling the flow of water thru the control chamber into the outlet, the piston being capable of movement in the control chamber by the pressure of water directed against its shoulder, a distributing chamber to receive a flow of water entering the flush valve, and a reservoir communicating with the control chamher on one side of the shoulder, there being a passage from the distributing chamber to the control chamber on the opposite side of the shoulder and a second passage from the distributing chamber into the reservoir, the size of the first-mentioned passage being proportioned relative to the other passage to permit a flow of sufficient volume to hold the piston on its seat against the pressure of Water entering the control chamber from the reservoir.

27. A flush valve of the class described comprising in combination a housing provided with an air intake valve, an outlet valve for establishing communication with a toilet fixture, a separate pressure chamber spaced from but in communication with the interior of the housing, and means for opening the air valve and producing a flow of air into the housing Whenever the outlet valve is opened and regardless of the pressure in the separate pressure chamber.

WILLIAM S. WHITE. 

